I have a 2012 Countryman S on order. One of the first mods I want to do is the Combo #1 package offered by VIP Custom Parts, which includes their intake and full exhaust (407 DP).

My understanding is that the full exhaust can raise some concerns for a smog check, particularly if they perform a "sniff" test. It's been awhile since I had to have my car smogged, but my recollection is that the test method varies from shop to shop.

I'm hoping there might be a few brave souls from California who've had this or similar work done who can reassure me that I won't be left with a car that I can't drive due to a failure to satisfy emissions standards. Thanks in advance!

 

The exhaust would violate any state that has CARB laws. It replaces everything from the headers back and has no CARB certification. The site even states it's for off-road only and not street legal.

I believe the intake is also not CARB certified and thus not legal either.

 

Proximo, ...that sounds pretty text-book.
The reality is, that it DOES vary from shop to shop. Any air intake and most exhausts will not effect the actual smog numbers ...that is most newer cars such as our MINI's will still pass within the required numbers allowed. ..HOWEVER what it comes down to is whether or not the actual person doing the test cares and/or does much of a visual check.

I have two examples:
my '77 porsche 930 has a custom exhaust on it and it still passes smog everytime. I believe that is because the technician probably doesn't know my exhaust is custom or doesn't care. The car still passes the actual emissions test they perform (and it is louder than a stock 930).

My other example was my '97 Jeep wrangler I owned. I had put a custom (non CARB legal) header on the jeep as the stock exhaust manifold developed a leak and was really loud. I brought my jeep in for a smog test, it passed just fine, ...even w/ the higher performance non OEM non CARB header. ...the technician didn't even look in my engine compartment on that one! He just stuck the thing up my Jeeps a#$ and did the test.

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With all that said, i would be nervous about altering the exhaust on our MINI's only because they are so new and common that any techician will kjnow immediately if you've altered it from stock. ...my '77 930 is pretty unique in this day and age I am not sure technicians even know what is supposed to be stock and what isnt' on that or most older cars ...thus they pretty much rely soley on the emissions numbers.

 

We've had a lot of groups around the south bay that they won't even get the machines out when they can't find the CARB stickers on intakes (and the Challenger groups even get hit with header changes). This being said with me not having to go through the experience yet so I'm not going to test that theory until I make both ours non-street racers only. For your 77, it's just barely outside the CARB laws (Sec 202.4.A) but still must pass emissions tests. Also the CARB laws for a model year for one car is different for another model year.

 

If your worried about CARB don't buy anything that isn't CARB approved.
For the intake go with the NM
http://www.waymotorworks.com/nm-engi...-2011-mcs.html
For the exhaust do something that doesn't replace the second cat. Both the JCW exhaust and the NM exhaust will be fine without violating CARB

 

From what I can find, it looks like starting January 1, 2013, the "sniffer" test will no longer be part of the smog test in California for cars built in 2000 or older. I believe it will simply consist of a OBDII check and perhaps a visual inspection as well.

Since the second cat is not monitored by an o2 sensor, I'm guessing this means that one could remove the second cat without it affecting one's OBDII compliance.

The next question is whether there is any printed information on the car that would lead one to expect a second cat. If not, then theoretically, one could also pass the visual inspection as well.

 

Hujan it depends on how long you plan on keeping the car lol. The reason for cali's smog check is to make sure your car parts are not omitting more than it should. Unfortunately that doesn't work so well when it comes to performance. You cannot have the best performing system and the least omitting vehicle at the same time. If you want to have no issues and you plan on keeping the car past 5 years, do to what everyone is stating here: Buy CARB Approved!

Best bet is to buy from Way for great pricing and get the NM or anyone that is Carb Approved! You avoid all problems due to smog. Now one thing to note, I don't think anyone has taken their countryman with upgrades to a smog tester to see if it passes still. Even though they state CARB approved, it may not pass the tail pipe test.. Unless you give some extra benny's under the table

 

Thanks for the input. I am basically looking at three bolt-on mods:

Intake: I am either going to keep it stock, or if I do anything, I'll go with the JCW Stage 1 or something CARB approved.

Intercooler: Aftermarket intercoolers are specifically exempted from CARB, so no worries there.

Exhaust: Like you say, I am probably going to have to stick with something that is CARB approved or leaves the OEM cats intact, as much as I hate to not take advantage of the fact that the second cat is not monitored and can therefore be taken off without setting off any OBDII codes.

I guess my impression of smog testing was that it was sort of like the law requiring front license plates: Sounds tough on the surface, but then every second BMW I see on the road doesn't have a front plate. Was not sure how stringent the testers were about actually checking for a second cat. Because after 1/1/13, the visual is the only thing standing between your OEM exhaust and one without the second cat in California.

 

You should just put a Bassas illegal system right after you get inspected, then the next time around swap them back over to pass. Works everytime.